Wrist tendinitis - tips and advice!

[leroybasslines]

Hi everyone,

 

I’ve got a lovely bit of tendinitis in my left wrist (my fretting hand). Not sure what’s caused it - I’ve not been playing loads recently and I don’t recall a specific moment of strain or trauma. My technique is decent and I don’t feel like I’m putting undue strain on the wrist. But hey, it is what it is - I just need to start working on recovery.
 

Obviously, I’m keen to expedite the healing and recovery process and would love to hear from anyone here that’s coped with tendinitis. Any tips/tricks/exercises/miraculous healing stories most gratefully received! Ideally, I want to keep playing as much as is safely possible…

 

I’m due to see an NHS physio at some point but obviously that can take a lot of time and I’m not sure I can afford any private clinics…so any collective wisdom you guys can offer would be very helpful. 
 

Thanks!

Liam

[Lozz196]

I’ve not suffered this specifically but about a month back my left wrist was hurting a bit so I raised the strap a bit and for about a week, playing or not I wore a wrist support which went over my thumb, and 2 thick wristbands. 

[Wombat]

I guess it’s not a lot different to private physio but the couple of times I’ve suffered a few sessions of acupuncture has sorted it out. The guy who does me is a guitarist himself and seems to understand the ‘issues’ we face so maybe that’s an extra help. Thoroughly recommend him if you are Bromley/Orpington way at all. Or I can ask if he’s aware of anyone in your neck of the woods.

[MyNameIsMark]

This chap Dr Kertz has a few videos knocking around showing controlled stretching

 

This is a playlist of his stuff that someone made  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmkhQsT566_L9PlROr4UCBt0kLrLBFkIW&

 

[itu]

First of all, understand the flow of blood from fingers (and toes) to heart. 

 

Arteries are hidden under muscles, therefore you have to worry about veins that are close to the skin. Veins - especially in legs - have valves. Those valves are important and shouldn't be ruined by massaging from heart to fingers or heart to toes. Got it? Once more, which way? Always towards the heart! 

 

My suggestion is to massage finger muscles that can be found from forearm, close to the elbow. If you have a muscle hammer (even a cheap one is just fine), that is one nice tool (at lowest setting). Did I say something about the direction? 

 

Make it easy, start softly, just like any sports. Warm muscle can be hit harder, but I still suggest long, soft massaging several times a week to remove the lactic acid. Drink a lot of water, it helps a bit with this. If the hand isn't any better in a week, meet a specialist. 

 

Playing is sports of one kind. Keep your hands and hand muscles warm. 

Edited 1 hour ago by itu

[leroybasslines]

5 hours ago, Wombat said:

I guess it’s not a lot different to private physio but the couple of times I’ve suffered a few sessions of acupuncture has sorted it out. The guy who does me is a guitarist himself and seems to understand the ‘issues’ we face so maybe that’s an extra help. Thoroughly recommend him if you are Bromley/Orpington way at all. Or I can ask if he’s aware of anyone in your neck of the woods.

I’d be very interested to know if he knows anyone in the Bristol area! Or anywhere in the south west or south Wales.

[Dan Dare]

There's a homeopathic medicine called Ruta Grav which I've found helpful. It's recommended for over-use/strain of flexor tendons.